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2008
Jus` Blues Music Awards
and
Technology Conference
August 6th - 7th
Memphis Tennessee USA
This year, the 2008 Jus` Blues Music Awards
is expanding to a four day celebration of Blues & Soul music fun. Register now to join music industry folks, technology
experts and Blues & Soul music fans at the Jus` Blues Music Awards and Technology Conference on Wednesday, August 6th
covering such topics as, "How To Use The Net As Your Best Bet For Promoting, Marketing And Driving Sales For Music Projects."
There will be interactive presentations and a Blues & Soul music panel session regarding utilizing the newest technologies
in the music industry. For registration and additional information click here.
The 2008 Blues Music Awards Winners announced by the Blues Foundation
1. DVD - Kenny Wayne Shepherd "10 Days Out: - Blues from the Backroads "
2. Traditional Blues Male Artist - Hubert
Sumlin
3. Traditional Blues Female Artist - Koko Taylor
4. Acoustic Artist - Bobby Rush
5. Acoustic Album Bobby
Rush - Raw
6. Pinetop Perkins Piano Player - Honey Piazza
7. Instrumentalist-Guitar - Bob Margolin
8. Soul Blues
Male Artist - Bobby Rush
9. Soul Blues Female Artist - Irma Thomas
10. Soul Blues Album - The Holmes Brothers –
State of Grace
11. Historical Album - Epic/Legacy – Breakin’ It UP, Breakin’ it DOWN
12. Contemporary
Blues Album - Tommy Castro - Painkiller
13. Contemporary Blues Female Artist - Bettye LaVette
14. Contemporary Blues
Male Artist - Tab Benoit
15. Instrumentalist-Harmonica - Kim Wilson
16. Instrumentalist-Bass - Bob Stroger
17.
Instrumentalist-Drums - Sam Lay
18. Instrumentalist-Horn - Deanna Bogart
19. Instrumentalist-Pedal Steel- Robert Randolph
20. Best New Artist Debut - Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy – Cotton Field to
Coffee House
21. Song -
“Gonna Buy Me a Mule” – Koko Taylor
22. Traditional Blues Album - Koko Taylor – Old School
23.
Album - Watermelon Slim & the Workers – The Wheel Man
24. Band - Watermelon Slim & the Workers
25. B.B.
King Entertainer - Tommy Castro
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Bobby Bland did not know what had hit him. He was going about his performance as usual when a show stopping
moment stunned him, an honor that he will no doubt remember and cherish forever. On Saturday Night (February 9th) during
the 4th Annual Dallas Blues Festival 2008, Mr. Bobby “Blue” Bland received the ultimate compliment from a lady
who stopped the show. Mrs. Nancy Johnson (after Saturday Night, could possibly be considered his biggest fan) of Corsicana,
Texas fulfilled one of her dreams and displayed how talented she really is, did an amazing thing by honoring him by dubbing
him with the new title-“Master of the Blues” and also presenting him with a Trophy of all Trophies. It was
a custom designed Trophy just for Mr. Bland that had been in the making by Mrs. Johnson for over 2 years. He was elated
to receive the new title.
I was truly amazed and stunned as others were too in attendance. It was before a sold
out crowd to witness this Historic event. Mrs. Nancy Johnson was elevated to a celebrity status before and afterwards,
because of her giving nature. She has honored various coaches and teachers, and entertainers for their contributions
to history, and loving the Blues, Bobby “Blue” Bland was no exception. She designed and patented the special
award for the occasion. The ultimate Trophy was almost as tall as Mrs. Johnson. For the last few years “Momma
Nancy” Johnson as I affectionately call her, had been telling me about this design of hers and we talked about her getting
her design patented, and I gave her a patent attorneys name to get the ball rolling. That was about 2 years ago.
A lot of love and appreciation was put into that specially designed Trophy just for Mr. Bland, the “Master of The Blues”
again as he was so aptly dubbed by Mrs. Johnson. The time had finally come for her to put it all together from her original
sketch.
The whole concept and vision for the Trophy to honor Mr. Bland was centered around his
first hit with Duke Records -the seminal Texas shuffle "Farther On Up The Road", which went to number 1 on the R&B charts
in 1957. The 45 centered on top of the Trophy Cup signified that number 1 single. In the 50s and early 60s, Bobby "Blue"
Bland was one of the main creators of the modern soul-blues sound. Mr. Bland’s style has remained consistent over
the years as he has also influenced dozens of blues and R&B influenced rock vocalists.
We were invited backstage
after his Show and Presentation and he spoke about at least 2 of his Gospel songs he has recorded from his earlier career
when he began singing Gospel music. Also during the conversation and after posing for a few pictures, he asked if we
knew what is real name was and I said “Robert Calvin Bland” but his last name is Brooks (his father’s surname).
I told him we had just featured him the weekend (January 26) of his birthday. He was 78 years of age on January 27.
His adorable and much appreciative wife, the love of his life, Mrs. Willie Mae celebrated her birthday on this eventful night
of the Festival (February 9, 2008). Even she was caught off guard by the Special Presentation. She is usually
close by (on stage), but this particular night I believe she was on the bus until after his performance, because I passed
her backstage on her way to the dressing room while she went to check on Mr. Bland. Once she saw that Trophy, even she
was in awe. It was a touching moment to see her try to actually pick it up as if she was going to carry it by herself.
I told her to let me find someone to get it to the bus for her. The newly dubbed “Master of the Blues” and
his wife are two of the nicest and genuine people you could ever meet.
Mr. Bland was inducted into the Blues
Foundation's Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. In 1997, The Recording Academy’s
"Lifetime Achievement" Grammy. In 1998, The Blues Foundations "Lifetime Achievement Award". While he has receive
those honors, I could tell that this was going to be a “Sentimental” Award, because of the fact that it was specially
designed just for him. The Legendary Mr. Bobby “Blue” Bland aka “The Master Of The Blues”.
Photos by Paul Baccus
Written by Kaye Fullylove-KKDA-AM 730 Radio
903.819.7392
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